Looming Labour Crunch Could Slow Saskatchewan Growth

Experts in Saskatchewan are growing concerned as evidence mounts of a looming labour crisis.

The province has been growing economically at unprecedented rates, while simultaneously anticipating the retirement of the baby-boomer generation. In the meantime, there are not enough young Canadians entering the workforce to maintain current productivity levels.

The situation has many businesses concerned over the future. Already, signs of the coming crisis are surfacing – projects have been stalled, wages are being inflated and the economy is slowing.

One solution is to look outside of Canada, and the Philippines are increasingly being touted at as a viable source of the skilled labour that this country will desperately need in the coming years.

Filipinos are a particularly good fit in Canada, as about half the population speaks English. They are highly trained, hard working and usually very open to the idea of working abroad and/or relocating permanently.

However, to get workers here from the Philippines is still a complicated process, say immigration and human resources experts in Saskatchewan. Employers should be prepared to wait six to eight months for a worker to arrive once the job offer has been extended.

For many employers, the wait is worth it. The Saskatchewan construction industry is bracing for a boom over the next two years, wherein employers estimate needing workers by the thousands.